A Comparative Study of Pulmonary Function Test Results in AC Users Versus Non-Users

Introduction: Air conditioning (AC) has become a widespread necessity in modern environments, especially in urban and industrial areas. Despite its benefits in providing comfort, concerns are rising regarding the long-term effects of AC exposure on respiratory health. This study aims to compare pulmonary function test (PFT) results between individuals regularly exposed to air conditioning and those not exposed to it, to better understand the potential effects on lung function.  Aim and Objectives: This paper was intended to evaluate the impact of air conditioning on lung function by comparing PFT outcomes of people who use air conditioning and those who do not. The first objective was to determine if respiratory health is affected after exposure to air conditioning.  Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted for a period of 2.5 years. Two hundred participants from Kalol, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 5 years of study. The participants were categorized into two groups: AC users were defined as those people who had used air conditioning for more than six hours a day for at least one year while non-AC users were those who had no regular exposure to AC. Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) and Forced Expiratory Flow 25-75% (FEF25-75%) pulmonary function tests were conducted using Portable Spirometer (Helios 702). The data was analyzed by unpaired t-test and chi-square test.  Results: Results demonstrated significant reductions in lung function among AC users compared to non-AC users. Predicted FVC was significantly lower in AC users (2.31 ± 0.91 L) compared to non-AC users (3.37 ± 0.92 L, p < 0.0001). Similarly, predicted PEFR, FEF25-75% were significantly lower in AC users (p = 0.04 for both parameters). No significant differences were found in FEV1 or FEV1/FVC ratio among 2 groups (p = 0.41 and 0.89, respectively). The findings suggest that prolonged AC exposure can reduce lung volumes and affect small airway function.  Conclusion: This study demonstrates that prolonged exposure to air conditioning may adversely affect lung volumes and airflow, particularly in the smaller airways. No significant differences were observed in FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio, the significant reductions in FVC, FEFR, and FEF25-75% highlight the potential respiratory risks associated with chronic AC exposure. Public health initiatives should emphasize proper AC maintenance and monitoring of lung function in individuals exposed to air conditioning for extended periods, particularly in occupational settings.